Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Crazy Quilt'speace globe from the November 2007 BlogBlast. Her name is Julia Scissor and she lives in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She says she's a "dreamer and an incurable romantic." I believe her. She's been blogging for peace since the first BlogBlast in 2006 along with my friend, Prometheus and Crazy King Of Clowns from New Delhi. Those three taught me a lot about their part of the world. I wish we had a peace globe from Pakistan!
They would look so nice together. Don't ya think?

Need a reason?

Besides Julia, Prometheus and Crazy King here's Reason #17...

The Kashmir Conflict

Casualties 40,000 - 80,000

WHERE? Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. In 1947, Britain gave up its control of the area and the countries of India and Pakistan were created. Kashmir is not part of either country, but the state is divided into Indian and Pakistan controlled regions by a "line of control."

WHO: The Republic of India and Pakistan as well as groups of militant insurgents

WHY: It is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan
Three wars have been fought over already between India and Pakistan over Kashmir: 1947, 1965, and 1999. Widespread armed insurgency began in 1989 which continues to this day. Since 1947, both India and Pakistan have staked their claim to the region of Kashmir. The reasons behind the dispute are many, with complicated divides and interpretations of how the conflict escalated. One thing that is not disputed is the issue of water. Kashmir is the central origin for many rivers and tributaries flowing into Pakistan and India. Neither side believes that the other would refrain from withholding the precious commodity for political and/or economic gain.

In 2001, a terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament was linked to Pakistan. Diplomatic efforts by other countries resulted in India and Pakistan withdrawing troops from the border in 2002 and peace talks began.

*** In December 2006, Pakistani President Musharraf stated that his country would relinquish its claim on Kashmir if India accepted some of his peace proposals, which included a phased withdrawal of troops.

It is interesting to note that the 2005 Kashmir earthquake which killed over 80,000 people, was responsible for India and Pakistan finalizing peace negotiations, as a road for disaster relief was needed through Kashmir.Left pic: relief efforts by Pakistani troops

As of March 2008, the battle for territorial rule in the region of Kashmir carries on.

There are more than thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded. In less than thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activism. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.To wage peace.

I certainly learn a lot of history from reading here. You keep me informed of the conflicts and the history. I could see a book in this, with all these entries, although I suppose the pace of change is so rapid as to make that very difficult.

Mimi, I continue to read all of your reasons to fly a peace globe posts in bloglines and keep thinking I'll comment more but I don't know what to say except to repeat that you are doing an excellent job. You are indeed doing an excellent job and I know it has to be hard to write these posts.